Software Development

I build practical systems across web, mobile, automation, machine learning, and embedded contexts. This page summarizes professional work, selected projects, and technical strengths from my engineering background.

Python JavaScript React + Flask Docker + HPC Computer Engineering B.S.

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Snapshot

Research Engineer experience in web UX, analytics planning, and mobile UI.
Built instrumentation automation software that scaled measurement throughput.
Hands-on in QA, visualization, graphics, and hardware-oriented software.
Based in Philadelphia, PA. Open to collaborative software projects.

Coding workstation and software workflow

Professional Experience

2019 - Present

Temple University VIDAR Lab

Research Engineer | Philadelphia, PA | Jan 2026 - Mar 2026

JavaScript Python React Flask Swift Docker

Refactored frontend web app flows and modernized UI/UX behavior.
Implemented frontend role controls for users and administrators.
Planned analytics, standardized logging strategy, QA process, and PII safeguards.
Contributed to mobile UI updates from user feedback and explored HPC pathways for ML research.

Drexel Mesoscale Materials Lab

Software Developer and Lab Member | Philadelphia, PA | Jan 2021 - Jan 2023

Python Keysight Systems Windows Pipelines

Built Python automation for Keysight instrumentation, scaling daily throughput from dozens to hundreds of measurements.
Developed communication pipelines between test systems and a core Windows machine.
Partnered with researchers to refine requirements, debug issues, and maintain reliability.
Produced onboarding documentation and contributed software to a 2023 Advanced Materials publication.

Publication DOI

EdTell, LLC

Web Developer and QA Tester | Garnet Valley, PA | Sep 2021 - Mar 2022

Angular TypeScript Storybook Cypress

Developed Angular UI components for a virtual education platform.
Led QA testing workflows using Cypress to increase release confidence.
Contributed in recurring team and company stand-ups to maintain alignment.

Metropolitan Acoustics

Software Developer, UI and Branding | Philadelphia, PA | Sep 2019 - Feb 2020

Python Tkinter Adobe Suite

Designed automation software to consolidate field acoustical data.
Improved usability with custom Tkinter GUI tooling and a reusable mini UI library.
Documented software and guided coworkers through practical onboarding sessions.

Selected Projects

Hardware, ML, graphics, and creative tech

Two-Level Rowing Machine Kinematic Analysis (2023)

Senior thesis project focused on motion tracking quality with Mediapipe and OpenCV to improve rowing-machine kinematic analysis.

Python OpenCV Mediapipe

Xylophone-Playing Animatronic Cat (2018)

Developed robotic hardware and control logic that translated note names into physical motion to play a toy xylophone.

Arduino Embedded Control Mechatronics

SpreadLove 3D Game (2020)

Solo-developed Unity title including gameplay systems, 3D assets, original music, and sound design.

Unity 3D Modeling Audio

Image and UI Utilities (2019 - 2020)

Created a collection of Python tools including image editors, live histogram equalization, string analysis utilities, and a quick Tkinter library.

Python Tkinter OpenCV

AR Snapchat Filter (2019)

Built an AR filter that tracked and anchored a 3D model to a face through Drexel XR club activities.

AR 3D Tracking Interactive Media

Microtonal Synthesizer in Max/MSP (2020)

Developed microtonal digital synthesis concepts with ExCite Center collaborators for advanced music technology exploration.

Max/MSP DSP Creative Coding

Skills and Tooling

Cross-disciplinary engineering stack

Programming and Frameworks

Python, JavaScript, React, Flask, Java, SQL, C, C plus plus, C sharp, Assembly, Bash, Angular, HTML, CSS.

Graphics and Visualization

OpenGL, WebGL, GLSL, Three.js, Blender 3D, PIL, OpenCV, and Mediapipe for visual computing pipelines.

Software and DevOps

Linux environments, WSL, Docker, Selenium, PostHog, VS Code, Visual Studio, Git, Unity, Godot, and Adobe Suite.

Hardware and Platforms

ESP32, Raspberry Pi, Arduino, TI Launchpad, BeagleBone, Basys3, Keysight instrumentation, and HPC workflows.

Education and Community

Drexel University B.S. Computer Engineering

Education

Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA

Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, Sep 2018 - Dec 2023

Selected coursework included data structures, machine learning, pattern recognition, interactive graphics, applied robotics, networks, architecture, and embedded design.

Organizations and Additional Background

Drexel CyberDragons CTF participant (top 13 placement).
Member of DUXR, AES, ACM SIGGRAPH, and Drexel AI communities.
Performer with Fuerza (UPenn Latinx ensemble) at Carnegie Hall.
Current affiliations include Philadelphia SIGGRAPH, Philly Game Mechanics, DC215, Ex Machina Parlor, Hive76, and PhillyCAM.

Get in touch

rscales06@gmail.com

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Philadelphia, PA | (610) 427-9675 | LinkedIn